They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
(Jeremiah 17:8 )
Last January, the staff and Lead Team were pondering olive trees. It’s been said that the olive tree is one of the most indestructible trees on the planet because it has a regenerating trunk. That’s to say, if the tree is uprooted, chopped down, or excessively pruned, it can re-root itself and grow strong again so long as a remnant of the core trunk remains. The olive tree has felt like an apt metaphor for UCC, especially during this season marked with so much change. UCC has sustained through the “shaking,” remains stable, and is growing new branches that stretch deep into the heart of the surrounding community. Thanks be to God!
As we begin another calendar year, we want to take this opportunity to share many of the ways we’re seeing God’s goodness in our life together as a community:
The “U” in University Christian Church
We began last year with hopes of reorienting more intentionally towards the university as our primary mission field. We are beginning to see this vision unfold, and can point to several engagements during the Fall semester that serve as example: week-long activities at/around the building during Welcome Week; sidewalk activations on the corner of McMillan and Rohs; partnerships with Impact, Young Life Collegiate, and Edge House; an impromptu prayer vigil when tragedy struck the campus in October; six UC students volunteering weekly in the Atrium. Thanks be to God!
Rohs Street Cafe
One of the primary ways UCC shares the love of Christ with the campus community is through the ministry of Rohs Street Cafe. A major transition took place last year as leaders came to recognize the need to develop a more sustainable economic model for this critical piece of UCC’s ministry. Last Spring, a partnership was established with The 86 Ministries, placing the daily management of Rohs Street (including UC student volunteer engagement) under the leadership of The 86, thereby releasing UCC from daily operational responsibilities. Our hope in enacting this transition, was to strengthen this vital branch of UCC’s ministry, while freeing present and future leaders from the weight of running a retail business alongside their service to the church. Eight months into the transition, we’re seeing this hope come to bear. Last semester, Rohs Street Cafe engaged 38 UC students in weekly volunteer roles (1,440 hours of service!), and this semester 46 students are volunteering as assistants and cleaning crew members. Thanks be to God!
New Co-Pastor!
In November of 2021, a team made up of congregation and Lead Team members came together to conduct a nationwide search for the role of Community Pastor—a process which unfolded over many months. After a great deal of discernment, Jeremiah Johnson was called to serve in this role, and officially began in early September. With Jeremiah in place, we’re seeing new capacities and cohesion in our staff team culture and sensing momentum in our Sunday worship and teaching team direction. Thanks be to God!
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There are many more wonderful ways we’ve seen God work within and through the UCC and surrounding community this past year:
• our first Elementary Atrium Summer Camp last August;
• a cross-congregational youth group partnership with our teens;
• engaged participation in the 6-week LivingUNDIVIDED journey;
• steady participation in our second-service Lectio Divina group;
• completion of the “raise the roof” project;
• ongoing and faithful financial giving week after week.
Looking ahead
There’s much to look forward to in the year ahead. We will continue practicing local life together, forming community around the campus and exploring ways to invite UC faculty, students, and other neighbors into relationship with Christ. We will continue practicing reconciliation, discovering the ways in which we’re all called to participate in God’s restorative, peacemaking work in the city and beyond. We will continue remembering, diving deep into the biblical narrative for fresh understanding and wisdom for living as God’s people in our present time and place. And we will continue practicing patient rhythms, abiding deeply in Christ’s love, so we may step forward each day as faithful and bold participants in Kingdom Life.
• What new opportunities are you seeing for UCC to live her mission this year?
• Are there doors you see opening? Unique ministry opportunities under our noses?
• Are there neighborhood and/or campus partnerships you see unfolding?
• New opportunities you see in our children’s and teen ministry?
• What are you passionate about? What are you dreaming about?
• How might God be calling you to engage in UCC’s mission this year?
It’s a gift to serve alongside you all for the sake of UCC and for the Kingdom.
Abundant peace upon the year ahead,
Megan and Jeremiah